Self-contained air conditioning unit installations



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SELF-CQNTAWD AH; C(DNDITIONWG UNIT INSTALLATIONS Application January 5,1954, Serial No. 402,364

9 Claims. (Cl. 98-94) This invention relates to self-contained airconditioning I s Patent units, and more particularly, to mechanism formaintaining the unit in place within a window frame or other openingwithin a building.

The chief object of the present invention is to provide support membersfor a self-contained air conditioning unit installed within a buildingopening such as a window frame.

An object of the invention is to provide support means for aself-contained air conditioning unit installed within a window framewhich permits the unit to be installed in such a manner that any desiredlength of the unit may protrude from the window frame.

A further object is to provide support means for a window unit placedwithin a window frame, which includes an adjustable cradle or trackmember for supporting the portion of the unit protruding from the windowframe. Other objects of the invention will be readily perceived from thefollowing description.

This invention relates to a cradle member for supporting aself-contained air conditioning unit in a building opening whichcomprises, in combination, a support member including two horizontallyextending arms, each arm having a longitudinally extending flangeadapted to be secured to a portion of the window frame, a support forthe unit and a gasket receiving recess placed between the flange and thesupport; a second support member including two horizontally extendingarms and a connecting member, and means for removably attaching thesecond member to the first member.

This invention further relates to a self-contained air conditioning unitplaced within a building opening in combination with support means forthe unit which comprises a cradle member including two arms protrudingexteriorly of the opening, each arm terminating in a horizontallyextending flange secured to a portion of the opening wall, each armincluding a support for the unit and having a gasket receiving recessplaced between the support and the flange; and a second cradle memberengaging the first cradle member and extending therefrom to increase thelength of the unit support; the cradle members being adapted to beconnected at various points whereby the length of the support may beadjusted in accordance with the portion of the unit protruding from theopening; said second cradle member having a flange substantiallyperpendicular thereto extending about its rear and at least a portion ofits side receiving the unit therein to prevent sideward and outwardmovement of the unit.

The attached drawings illustrate a preferred embodiment of theinvention, in which Figure l is a view in elevation of theself-contained air conditioning unit in place;

Figure 2 is an exploded view of the elements of the support;

Figure 3 is an isometric view showing the cradle members of the supportinstalled at the building opening;

Figure 4 is a sectional view showing the self-contained 2 airconditioning unit in place within the window opening; Figure 5 is asectional view illustrating the manner of installation of the wingpanels;

Figure 6 is an isometric view of the picture frame gasket;

Figure 7 is a sectional view of a modified gasket; and Figure 8 is aview in elevation illustrating the modified gasket in place about theair conditioning unit.

Referring to the attached drawings, there. is shown a self-contained airconditioning unit 2 supported in place Within a building opening such asa window frame 3. It will be observed that substantially the completelength of the unit 2 extends exteriorly of the frame 3. The casing ofthe unit is box-like to permit the unit to be placed in any desiredposition in the building opening.

The air conditioning unit is held in place Within the opening by meansof a support designated generally at 4. Support 4 prevents outward andsideward movement of the unit 2 when it is installed in desiredposition.

Support 4 includes a cradle or track member 5. Cradle 5 includes twohorizontally extending arms 6, each arm including a support portion 7, aflange 8 extending substantially perpendicular to the support portion atone side thereof, and serving to prevent sideward movement of the unitwhen it is installed, and a second flange 9 extending downward from theopposite side of support 7 in a substantially perpendicular direction.Flange 9 has a plurality of openings 10 formed therein for a purposehereinafter described. Each arm 6 has a horizontally extending flangemember 11 attached thereto and adapted to be secured to the stool 12 ofthe window frame.

The support includes a second cradle having two horizontally extendingarms 13, each arm including a support 14, a flange 15 extending downwardfrom the support 14 in a substantially perpendicular direction, and asecond flange 16 extending upward at the opposite side of support 14 ina substantially perpendicular direction. Flanges 16 of the arms 13 areconnected by a member 17 which forms, in effect, a continuation offlanges 16. Openings 17' are provided in flanges 15 for a purposehereinafter described. The arms 13 are provided with members 18 adaptedto cooperate with leveling means 1?. In this construction, the levelingmeans are in effect attached to the unit so that an unsafe installationcannot be made.

When the support or cradle is placed in position at the window opening,supports 14 of arms 13 rest on supports 7 of arms 6. The arms 6 and 13are attached to each other by fastening means 20. Since a plurality ofopenings are provided in the flanges 9 and 15, it will be appreciatedthat various openings may be aligned with each other to permit thecradle to be adjusted in length, depending upon the portion of the unitprotruding exteriorly of the opening.

Gasket receiving recesses 21 are formed in the cradle between arms 6 andflange members 11 for a purpose hereinafter described. To strength thecradle member and to provide support for a gasket, in recess 21, a tieangle 22 is provided connecting the arms 6; this tie angle forms therear wall of the gasket recess 21.

Considering the installation of the self-contained air conditioningunit, assuming the cradle 5 has been installed in desired position,extending from the window frame with the flange members 11 attached tothe stool 12 of the window frame, the air conditioning unit 2 issupported on the cradle 5 with a desired length of the unit protrudiingexteriorly of the Window frame. It will be appreciated any desiredlength of the air conditioning unit may extend from the opening sincecradle 5 is adjustable to accommodate any desired portion of the aircondition ing unit exteriorly of the window opening. The flanges Sand16'of the-arms 6 and 13 of cradle prevent sideward movement of the 'unitwhen it is in desired position. The connecting member 1''] preventsfurther outward movement of the unit.

A picture frame ring gasket 23 (refer to Figure 6) is'disposed aboutunit 2. Ring gasket 23 may be disposed at any desired placelongitudinally of the unit. Gasket 23 preferably includes a slot 24 fora purpose hereinafter described. The gasket 23 fits within recess 21 toseal the lower portion of the unit and is compressed by the weight ofunit 2, thus preventing air entering the interior of the buildingstructure between the stool of the window frame and the bottom of theselfcontained air conditioning unit.

After the gasket has been disposed about the unit and the unit placed indesired position on the cradle, wing panels 25 and 26 are placed inposition on opposite sides of the unit to close the space between thesides of the window frame and the unit. The edge of the wing panel fitswithin the slot 24 of the ring gasket 23. Suitable spacing and supportmembers 27 are provided to hold the wing panels in place adjacent to thewindow frame.

If desired, a key-member 28, as shown in Figure 4,

is inserted in the slot 24 of gasket 23 above the top of unit 2. Arubber seal strip 29 or gasket has a protruding portion adapted to fitagainst the inner side of the window and a slot 30 therein adapted toreceive key 28, if desired, and the upper edges of wing panels 25 and26. The window is then lowered to compress the seal strip, thus securelysealing the space between the window and the unit and its wing panels.

As shown in Figures 7 and 8, the picture frame gasket and the seal stripmay be formed integrally to provide sealing gasket 56. The upper portionof gasket 59 terminates ina tip-like portion 51 adapted to fit againstthe inner edge of the window when the unit and gasket are in place inthe installation. The slots (not shown) are retained to receive theedges of the wing panels 25, 26. Gasket portions 52, 53 fit over theupper edges of the-wing panels 25, 26 receiving such edges in slotsS4therein. Any suitable form of joint 55 may be provided between gasket50 and cooperating gasket portions 52, 53. It will be appreciated thisconstruction obviates the rubber strip and key construction.

Preferably, stop brackets 31 are provided to prevent inward movement ofthe unit 2 when it is disposed in position. The flangemembers ill ofarms 6 of cradle 5 are provided with embossed portions 32 extending fromthe edges thereof so as to provide space between the flanges and thestool 12 of the window frame. Brackets 31 include a horizontallyextending flange 33 adapted to fit within the space between portions 32and the stool, and an upwardly extending flange 34 adapted to beattached to'the unit 2.

Preferably, the unit 2 is disposed in position in such manner that ittilts slightly toward the exterior of the building. This aids inremoving the condensate from the evaporator section of the unit to thecondenser section of the unit. Leveling means 1? permit the cradle 5 tobe adjusted so as to provide the desired pitch.

The present invention provides an air conditioning unit installationwhich may be made rapidly and economically. The installation preventsseepage of exterior air through the building opening about the installedunit. The present invention provides secure support regardless of thelength of the unit extending without the building structure. If desired,exterior strap hangers or braces may additionally support the unit ifthe greater part of the unit is supported without the building. If thegreater part of the unit is supported within the building, legsupports'may be used. The hanger or brace construction permits asatisfactory installation to be obtained when the wall is so thin thatit is undesirable to employ standard leveling screws. Any movement ofthe unit, when it is installed in desired position, is prevented by thesupport provided by the present invention. The installation may be madereadily by unskilled workmen. A particular advantage of the constructionrests in the fact that the unit can be pulled through the gasket; thereis no requirement that the unit be placed in any particular position. Aparticular feature of this installation resides in the fact that seepageof outside air around the unit is prevented eliminating drafts andpreventing sweating under summer conditions as well as maintainingcapacity of the unit. The unit need not be removed during winterconditions for the seal prevents seepage or leakage of air through theopening.

While we have described a preferred embodiment of the invention, it willbe understood the invention is not limited thereto since it may beotherwise embodied within the scope of the following claims.

We claim:

l. In combination of a self-contained air conditioning unit placedwithin a building opening, support means for the unit comprising twoarms protruding exteriorly of the opening, each arm terminating in ahorizontally extending flange secured to a portion of the opening wall,each arm including a substantially horizontally extending first portionon which the unit rests, an upwardly extending second portion at oneside of the first portion and a downwardly extending third portion atthe opposite side of the first portion, each of said arms having agasket receiving recess between the first portion and the flange, andsecond support means cooperating with the first support means to supportthe unit, the second support means extending from the first supportmeans, said second means comprising two spaced arms and a connectingmember, each arm including a substantially horizontally extending firstportion on which the unit rests, an upwardly extending second portion atone side of the first portion and a downwardly extending third portionat the opposite side of the first portion, said second support memberhaving a flange connecting the ends of the arms and cooperating with theupwardly extending second portions thereof to prevent sideward andoutward movement of the unit, means to connect the first and secondsupport members to each other, said first and second support membersbeing capable of connection at various points whereby the length of thearms may be adjusted in accordance with the portion of the unitprotruding from the opening, and means for securing the support means indesired position to support the unit.

2. The combination according to claim 1 in which a gasket extendingabout the unit is placed in the recess and is compressed therein by theunit forming a seal between the unit and the window frame.

3. The combination according to claim 2 in which the gasket is slottedto receive the edges of a key member and wing panels.

4. In a mounting arrangement for supporting a selfcontained airconditioning unit in a window opening, the combination of a supportmember including two horizontally extending arms, each arm having ahorizontally extending flange adapted to be secured to the stool of thewindow frame, a support portion for the unit integral with the flangehaving a gasket receiving recess therein placed between the flange andthe support, a second support number including two horizontallyextending arms and a connecting member connecting the arms, and meansfor removably attaching the arms of the second member to the arms of thefirst member.

5. A mounting arrangement according to claim 4 in which the arms areprovided with flanges extending substantially perpendicular of thesupport portion to prevent sideward movement of a supported unit.

6. A mounting arrangement according to claim 5 in which the connectingmember forms a continuation of the flanges to prevent outward movementof a supported unit.

7, A mounting arrangement according to claim 6 in which the arms of thefirst support member are connected by a tie angle.

8. A mounting arrangement according to claim 7 in which the horizontallyextending flanges are provided at their outer edges with embossedportions to receive therein flanges of stop brackets.

9. In a mounting arrangement for supporting a selfcontained airconditioning unit in a window opening, the combination of a supportmember including two horizontally extending arms, a tie memberconnecting the arms, eacharm including a support portion for the unit, aflange extending substantially perpendicular to the support portion atone side thereof, and a second flange extending substantiallyperpendicular to the support portion at the opposite side thereof,horizontally extending flange members integral with the support portionsof the arms adapted to be secured to the stool of the Window frame, eachsupport portion having a gasket receiving recess therein placed betweenthe horizontally extending flange member and the support portion of thearms, a second support member including two horizontally extending arms,a connecting member connecting said arms of the second support member,each arm including a support portion for the unit, a flange extendingsubstantially perpendicular to the support portion at one side thereof,and a second flange extending substantially perpendicular to the supportportion at the opposite side thereof, the connecting member extendingsubstantially perpendicular to the support portion and forming, ineffect, a continuation of the flanges to prevent outward movement of asupported unit, and means for removably attaching the second flanges ofadjacent arms, the horizontally extending stool flange members havingembossed portions at their outer edges to receive stop brackets, andstop brackets fitting between the embossed portions and the stool andattached to the unit.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,275,574 Lipp Aug. 13, 1918 1,457,178 McArthur May 29, 1923 1,799,904Howlett Apr. 7, 1931 2,316,704 Moore Apr. 13, 1943 2,433,104 EberhartDec. 23, 1947 2,486,828 Dybvig Nov. 1, 1949 2,524,230 Martin Oct. 3,1950 2,628,052 Cira Feb. 10, 1953 2,674,430 Galazzi Apr. 6, 1954

